Ache

Arrested

Anthony started awake. Suddenly fully aware of his surroundings and every motion, every sound, and every breath. Cassie was sitting upright, motionless, eyes wide open as if afraid.

"Cassie? What's wrong?"

Anthony asked. Cassie simply placed her finger across his lips and said,

"Papa, very quickly, get up and get dressed. They are coming. Hurry."

With that, Cassie bolted from the bed and started frantically dressing herself. Anthony followed her example, not understanding but sensing that he should trust her.

"No Papa, get your shorts on. Like you've been asleep. Then get back in bed."

Puzzled, Anthony did as she directed. Cassie finished dressing, quickly put away the toys they had used, and sprayed air freshener to cover the smell of sex in the room.

As soon as she put the air freshener down, there was a very firm pounding on the front door.

"Seattle P.D. We have a warrant, we are coming in!"

His front door swung open and 4 officers walked in. Anthony started to sit up in bed and exclaim his protest, but Cassie's tiny hand firmly squeezed his hand firmly, stifling his voice, calming his mind, and he laid back down.

Officers entered the bedroom, immediately separated Cassie from him. His heart beat faster as a flurry of questions were thrown at him.

"Are you Anthony P. Greyson? Resident of Crestwood Apartments, unit A-208, Seattle, WA?"

"Yes. What is this about?"

Anthony I quoted, trying to keep the rising panic from his voice. He stole a glance over at Jan, her eyes wide, but her voice steady.

"No officer, I wasn't forced to stay, he was hurt so I was taking care of him."

Anthony heard Cassie explaining the events that led up to this morning, amazed at how skillfully she turned the probing questions into nonsense and spun a tale with such conviction that even he had to question if what he remembered was real or not.

"Mr. Greyson, are you listening to me?"

"Huh? Oh. I'm sorry officer, yes, I am Antony Greyson. I hit my head pretty good earlier today..."

"That was yesterday Sir." Came Cassie's delicate voice from across the room.

"What? I've been out for two days?" Anthony shook his head in disbelief. "Apparently I'm not going to be a very reliable witness to whatever it is you're here about officer."

"You're being charged with kidnapping and unlawful detention of a minor as well as contributing to the delinquency of a minor Mr. Greyson. Turn around and put your hands on your head."

"Wha... I didn't DO anything! Cassie wasn't kidnapped and could have left at any time!"

"Sgt. Milker! You need to come see this." An officer from across the room called. Sgt. Miller finished handcuffing Anthony, had him sit on the edge of the bed, and walked over to the closet, where Cassie had hidden the toys from their activities. Anthony could hear hushed whispers between the officers but could not make out what they were saying. Cassie was rushed out of the bedroom and into the living room. One of the officers pulled out his radio and walking away from everyone, made an indispensable call. Anthony could see Cassie get ushered to the couch, maintaining her calm and collected exterior. He was astonished that this tiny goddess could so easily navigate this mess and not look like there was a thing that could rattle her.

Anthony turned Sgt. Miller as he returned from the closet with a serious look on his face. Anthony just looked at him. After an uncomfortable couple minutes, Sgt. Myers returned Anthony's look and sternly said, "I don't know what has been going on here, but those.... "things" in your closet, some are still warm."

Anthony closed his slightly opened mouth and tried to avoid the officer's gaze. Sgt. Miller moved around behind Anthony and grasped his bound wrists. Without any subtly and with distinct distain in his voice, "I think we had better continue this conversation down at the station. Once there, you will be fingerprinted, entered into booking and then given an opportunity to call your lawyer. And buddy, I hope you have a good one."

Anthony was led out the front room past Jan kept up from the couch and grabbed Anthony tightly, pulling him down so she could reach his ear, "Papa, don't say anything. Call a lawyer Papa, and don't say a thing."

Cassie effortlessly evaded the grasping hands of the officer that she startled when she bolted from the couch. Almost daintily, she lowered herself back onto the couch. Anthony stifled a smirk and was led out the front door to his apartment.

Outside, neighbors were curiously standing in the hallways, trying to peer into Anthony's apartment. Additional officers out side parted the growing early morning crowd so officers could guide Anthony to the elevator. Anthony just caught the hiss of Mrs. Cabot, the 70 plus year old  complex gossip. He barley recognized what she said, but it registered as, "I always THOUGHT he was a shady character. Comings and goings at all hours of the night."

Again Anthony pushed a smirk from his face and tried to look as blank and emotionless as possible. Inside, instead of a rising panic Anthony thought he would be feeling, but instead he was perfectly calm.... "Strange",he thought, and entered the elevator with his escort. Slowly the doors to the elevator closed and people craned their necks, straining to catch another glimpse of the mysterious man being led away in handcuffs.